Describe the stasis in the play: where, when, who, what, etc. in a paragraph.
The play took place in a city on a beach in South Carolina in 1918. The stasis of this play is the love of a forbidden marriage between a black woman and a white guy. At the beginning of the play, Julia and Herman is the couple targeted for their marriage. At the end of the play, it was obvious that no matter how complicated the plot got, they still had a love for each other.
2. What is the intrusion?
The intrusion, to me, of the play, is when we found out of the illness that Herman has. The action and conflicts get introduced after.
3. What is the unique factor?
The unique factor is the fact that Herman has influenza. It was a terrifying diagnosis that seemed ubiquitous in that era. After so much planning of taking a boat to New York and starting a new life, the ever present disease would make that dream a distant reality.
4. What is the dramatic question that should be answered by the end of the play?
The dramatic question to me is, can people of color and white people ever hope to live together in peace and mutual respect having known their history at that time? Throughout the play, many factors contributed to the fact that this was present but only in secrecy.
5. Provide an illustration of the two kinds of exposition that the play has in it.
The first exposition was the information divulged by Julia to Lula and Mattie of her marriage to Herman. The second was the information given of Herman’s Sister and her intentions of getting with the sailor. She wanted him to fall for Celestine because she would take care of their mom, therefore giving her the opportunity to leave.
6. Identify the most theatrical moment in the play and of what importance it seems to be.
At the point Herman fell ill, their love is challenged by a conflict between Herman’s family (mother and sister) and Julia, which led to The most theatrical moment in the play when Julia and Herman had their argument. I feel this is the most theatrical moment because of the dialogue that was said between both and how influential it was for the plot as well as getting great audience attention and involvement.
7. List some of the themes of the play.
Some themes, or topics, in this play, included racism, socioeconomic struggles, gender roles, poverty, woman’s rights, and discrimination.
8. What do the principal characters want and what are some obstacles that stand in the way of them getting what they want?
A few examples are; Julia and Herman want to live in happy matrimony, but interracial marriage laws prohibit it. Nelson wants respect for his job status but being a man of color makes him not able to get it. Herman’s dream of moving away with Julia is interrupted by his sickness.
9. Describe some possible images in the play and how does the title help us understand the play.
The title of the play carries strong symbolism behind it. A wedding band is not just a ring but a commitment to everlasting love in partnership. By displaying a wedding band, you are making the world around you aware of your commitment and therefore are subjected to the attention whether good or bad.
10. Briefly, define the family relationships that are examined in the play.
The strongest family relationship that I found in the play is between Herman and his mother. This family relationship is evidently seen when she becomes aware of Herman’s illness. She reviled her true self to Julia by ways of racial insults to get her son back and out of this forbidden marriage.
Gilberto Delrio Vives
Richmond, Theater 2110 M/W/F 36022
Wedding Band Worksheet
The play took place in a city on a beach in South Carolina in 1918. The stasis of this play is the love of a forbidden marriage between a black woman and a white guy. At the beginning of the play, Julia and Herman is the couple targeted for their marriage. At the end of the play, it was obvious that no matter how complicated the plot got, they still had a love for each other.
2. What is the intrusion?
The intrusion, to me, of the play, is when we found out of the illness that Herman has. The action and conflicts get introduced after.
3. What is the unique factor?
The unique factor is the fact that Herman has influenza. It was a terrifying diagnosis that seemed ubiquitous in that era. After so much planning of taking a boat to New York and starting a new life, the ever present disease would make that dream a distant reality.
4. What is the dramatic question that should be answered by the end of the play?
The dramatic question to me is, can people of color and white people ever hope to live together in peace and mutual respect having known their history at that time? Throughout the play, many factors contributed to the fact that this was present but only in secrecy.
5. Provide an illustration of the two kinds of exposition that the play has in it.
The first exposition was the information divulged by Julia to Lula and Mattie of her marriage to Herman. The second was the information given of Herman’s Sister and her intentions of getting with the sailor. She wanted him to fall for Celestine because she would take care of their mom, therefore giving her the opportunity to leave.
6. Identify the most theatrical moment in the play and of what importance it seems to be.
At the point Herman fell ill, their love is challenged by a conflict between Herman’s family (mother and sister) and Julia, which led to The most theatrical moment in the play when Julia and Herman had their argument. I feel this is the most theatrical moment because of the dialogue that was said between both and how influential it was for the plot as well as getting great audience attention and involvement.
7. List some of the themes of the play.
Some themes, or topics, in this play, included racism, socioeconomic struggles, gender roles, poverty, woman’s rights, and discrimination.
8. What do the principal characters want and what are some obstacles that stand in the way of them getting what they want?
A few examples are; Julia and Herman want to live in happy matrimony, but interracial marriage laws prohibit it. Nelson wants respect for his job status but being a man of color makes him not able to get it. Herman’s dream of moving away with Julia is interrupted by his sickness.
9. Describe some possible images in the play and how does the title help us understand the play.
The title of the play carries strong symbolism behind it. A wedding band is not just a ring but a commitment to everlasting love in partnership. By displaying a wedding band, you are making the world around you aware of your commitment and therefore are subjected to the attention whether good or bad.
10. Briefly, define the family relationships that are examined in the play.
The strongest family relationship that I found in the play is between Herman and his mother. This family relationship is evidently seen when she becomes aware of Herman’s illness. She reviled her true self to Julia by ways of racial insults to get her son back and out of this forbidden marriage.